Halifax council not sure it can cover raise ordered for police

Arbitration decision orders members 2.75 per cent increases each year for 5 years

Halifax Coun. Steve Craig, the chair of the police commission, said city staff haven't yet looked at the impacts of the arbitration decision. (CBC)

Pam BermanReporter

Pam Berman is CBC Nova Scotia's municipal affairs reporter. She's been a journalist for almost 35 years and has covered Halifax regional council since 1997. That includes four municipal elections, 19 budgets and countless meetings. Story ideas can be sent to pam.berman@cbc.ca

The union had requested a 10-year contract with various increases over the life of the contract, while Halifax officials had asked for a four-year contract with a one per cent lump payment in the first two years and a one per cent annual increase in the final two years.

The arbitration decision noted bargaining broke down for the municipality and union for the police force, the Halifax Regional Police Association. (Robert Short/CBC)

"Staff has yet to go through it and evaluate what the results are and the impacts to the municipality," said Coun. Steve Craig, who is also the chair of the police commission.

The arbitration decision noted the municipality and union for the police force, the Halifax Regional Police Association, experienced an "almost total failure of bargaining" during negotiations, which prompted the need for arbitration.

Contract details

One thing the panel didn't change was the long-service award, a lump sum payment members with enough years of service received upon retirement. The union wanted it increased, while the municipality wanted it gone. Members with 20 years of service get $1,500, while members with 25 years of service get $2,000 when they retire.

The benefits structure for members of the force was also left unchanged.

Details of the report were discussed behind closed doors at the monthly meeting of the police commission on Monday.